514 EXPERIMENT STATION KECORD. 



logical liiulingH diffi-r (juiU- (lcci(k-(lly I'lom those observed in eases of true blackleg, 

 and a bacteriological study condnned with inoculation experiments witli white rats 

 demonstrated that in all cases the organism of malignant edema was present, and 

 that t'onsecjuently tlu' disease called jiarturient l)lackleg is nothing more nor less 

 than malignant edema. Infection apparently comes about as the result of the pene- 

 tration of the spores of this organism through the walls of the reproductive organs at 

 the time of parturition. 



Passive immunity in various forms of hemorrhagic septicemia, K. Z. 

 Klki'TZov [Arch. Vet. Xaufc, ,St. J'l'ter.^hur;/, SS [190^'), A'ci.s. 6, pp. .5.53-381; 7, pp. 68.5- 

 700; 8, pp. 781-815). — The literature relating to swine plague, hemorrhagic septicemia 

 in cattle, and other related diseases is critically discussed, in connection with a bibli- 

 ography including 67 titles. The author conducted an elaljorate series of experi- 

 ments for the purpose of obtaining imnumizing sera and determining their preventive 

 action. These sera were obtained from experimental animals according to the vari- 

 ous methods generally employed in such work. 



As a result of these experiments it is concluded that it is possible, by means of 

 inoculation with the organisms of hemorrhagic septicemia, to obtain sera which 

 exercise a preventive action even in comparatively small doses. A. blood serum 

 obtained from animals strongly innuunized against a single species of bacteria from 

 this general group exhibits immunizing power, not only against different races of 

 this organism, but also against other organisms of the same group. 



Hemorrliagic septicemia, 31. H. Keyxolds {Minnemta Sla. Bid. 8'2, jyp. 249-280, 

 pis. 10). — Hemorrhagic septicemia has been known in Minnesota for more than 2 

 years and during this time has occurred in 80 outbreaks on 52 farms, and with a loss 

 of 551 cattle. Thus far it has been impossible to trace any connection between one 

 outbreak and another, or to determine the method of infection. 



The specific cause of the disease is considered to be Bacillus bovisepCicus. This 

 organism is not distingnished in cultural and morphological characteristics from the 

 bacillus of swine plague. The disease appears suddenly and in acute cases results 

 fatally within a short jieriod. Some chronic cases recover. It has been frequently 

 mistaken for anthrax, blackleg, cerebro-spinal meningitis, cornstalk disease, and 

 parturient paresis. The disease is known to occur in many parts of the United 

 States. It appears not to depend upon seasonal or climatic conditions. 



During the author's investigations 17 cases were studied in detail. As a rule the 

 temperature remains normal or subnormal. The prominent symptoms were those of 

 cerebro-spinal meningitis. The symptoms, however, are not characteristic. Post- 

 mortem findings give more definite information. Subcutaneous hemorrhages are 

 almost always present and are readily recognized from their sharply defined borders. 



Detailed notes are given on a number of outbreaks which occurred at the experi- 

 ment station or in various parts of the State. A description is also given of 1 case 

 in a sheep, and of a supposed case of milk fever which was probably hemorrhagic 

 septicemia. A number of outl)reaks of cattle disease have occurred in various parts 

 of the State, believed to have been hemorrhagic septicemia. No treatment has been 

 discovered for this disease. 



Hemorrhagic septicemia, J. Black (Amer. Vet. Rev., 27 {1903), No. 3, pp. 202- 

 205). — The cases first observed by the author had been diagnosed as cornstalk dis- 

 ease. They occurred near St. Clair, Mich. Notes are given on the symptoms as 

 seen in 5 affected cattle. Later other cases were observed in this neighborhood and 

 the author believes that the disease was hemorrhagic septicemia. In 1 case recovery 

 took ijlace rapidly after the administration of potassium iodid. Hemorrhagic 

 patches were oliserved under tlie skin in these cases. 



The cornstalk disease, A. T. Peters and S. Avery {Nebraska Sta. Bpt. 1902, pp. 

 63-94). — A special appropriation made by the Nebraska legislature in 1901 enabled 

 the station officers to undertake an elaborate studv of the cornstalk diserise. 



